I am really enjoying this story. I love mysteries, and this one is playing out nicely. However, some of the dialogue seems a bit forced. I love the political and philosophical thought that permeates the story, it's very interesting and does not alienate the reader. I enjoy your footnotes almost as much as the story!

I hate to be harsh, but I've quit reading this in mid-chapter. Have a beta reader go through it to fix all the mistakes and republish it once it's cleaned up. You also spend to much time on "filler". It distracts from the story - which is interesting. Reading this is like swimming in Jello ... slow, plowing through. Give it the stage it deserves to be displayed upon.

I had problems after I read the chapter last night and couldn't review then, so here I am now. I wanted to say that I like the way they are working together and find their little "bickering" enjoyable. The romantic in me was saying, "Kiss her!" when their noses were nearly touching, but I was satisfied with the hooking of the arms, whether or purpose or not! I find Severus' theory intriguing and am looking forward to more.

Ladies and gentlemen, this wonderful woman is my beta! Give her a round of applause! She has checked my footnotes and read my drafts twice! Her comments have always been insightful and hetr suggestions, just!

How sweet, thank you. My employer has round-the-clock online reference so that I can research without leaving my couch.

If anyone is interested, I am putting together a source list of reference sites for betas.  It's for another fandom, but can be used by any beta.  If you would like a copy, email me through the members directory. 

Ah the Saint Bartholomew's Massacre, I know of it. I also forget the year

This is why you need a reference librarian for a beta. <j/k>  I can find things out immediately.

"[...] it happened on the twenty-third of August in the year 1572, and that is the Massacre of Saint Bartholomew, or to give it its full name of Saint Bartholomew's Day. The twenty-third of August is the feast day of Saint Bartholomew. Somehow or other the Queen Mother, Catherine de Medici, who was Catholic, helped someone to decide to take advantage of a gathering of the Huguenots in Paris to have them massacred or shot. But whatever was behind it, whatever were the causes of this, the effect of Saint Bartholomew's Massacre was to affect France in a number of ways. These Protestant leaders were massacred, and this becomes one of the holy days or holy events in Protestant memory -- and Catholics on the other hand reacted against it, or tried to play it down or to forget about it."

http://home.comcast.net/~icuweb/c01805.htm 

Brilliant.  This is just absolutely one of the most brilliantly written stories I have read period.  You've clearly done your research and while you seem to be a woman of strong phillosophical opinion, it doesn't alienate your readers, which is a plus, I think.  It's like Rowling and Doyle had a love child.  I do like to be surprised so be careful that you don't make the connections too obvious.  I have my suspicions about the perpetrator but I want very much to be wrong! 

thisis so good and intense, the suspese is killing me.

Some of the historical background of your story has reminded me of what happened during the french revolution : at one point, the old traditions (religion, calendar etc) were forbidden to be replaced by the cult of Reason, a new calendar, new laws and so forth. Many chruches were destroyed or used for something else than religion. When Napoleon took the power, he reinstated those old traditions, after a fashion. I'd add St Bartholomew feast day has sad connotations in France : on that day sometime in 16th century (don't remember which year), the Catholic commited a great massacre of Protestants in Paris, it was quite a bath of blood. Last point : I'm very fond of mystery novels and your fanfic is very well built in that regard.

I really loved your story!  It was nice to read a well organized, cognizant story with actual logic.

Wow alot to think about. The last murder was more personal than the other ones. This story is keeping me hooked.

excellent interplay!  And yes, what is in it for Miss Granger?

Wow, lots of deaths of main characters! I believe I'm a "bad" girl because I find them fascinating, and it makes me want to learn more about the killer and why he/she is doing what to whom. Sort of like seeing if there are certain feelings about each that makes some more ghastly than others.And now that I've read your notes, I'm thinking that someone feels the Potter Government has "attacked" him. Draco Malfoy (He's not been mentioned, has he?) seeking vengeance for his father's public execution? Oh, nevermind, you were saying something about it not being about vengeance--of course, that's referring to nature and not man. Well, I'm confused. I'll keep thinking on it! Hahaha! But you have my mind wondering at least.

Lady Strange-This is the first time I have read a story of yours. I see your posts on WIKTT and have decided to take the plunge. I will confess I skimmed over the grisley demise of Lucious. I am not one to turn down a story for graphic parts, I just skim and sing lalalalalal in my head. It works great. Seems to me that Unspeakable Snape is a fair bit intimidated by Dr. Granger. It appears to me that his lashing out verbally at AD made him seem defensive in posture. I am concerned by the suggestion that the only thing that is keeping Snape safe is Albus’ continued presence. Makes me nervous for what Harry would do if Albus died or left the country. I also picked up hints that perhaps Harry is not the benevolent leader we would presume him to be. I shall read on!

Interesting chapter. It feels like Dickens London w/ a little bit of Jack the ripper mystery in it.

Another good chapter, by someone clearly versed in the Holmes canon. However, if the Wizarding district of London is truly so awful, why haven't the Muggle environmentalists caught on yet? Still quite good. Obvious parallels to our dear friend Mr. Jack, whom I suspect will turn out to be Percy Weasley, because it would be more fun that way.

This is interesting. However, if Harry Potter is truly so vengeful, won't Dumbledore's death trigger the young's man malice no matter what Snape does or doesn't do? What safeguards can Dumbledore offer that would hold after his own real death? Of course Snape is going to believe the Headmaster one last time, but any assurances or resignations are fairly meaningless under the circumstances unless Snape disappears.Which is what he should have done anyway as soon as the war was over, of course.

Good characterization for Ron! Hahaha! I do like this Hermione and her attitude towards things and that she doesn't allow Snape to "bully" her in any way. I can't say that I feel all that sorry for Marietta (snicker!), but I suppose that's mean of me. I like that they will have to spend time together to solve this. I'm glad that I've decided to read this story. Good job, as usual.

When I read through this, well, skimmed through the execution, I thought to myself that it was reminiscent of executions of earlier centuries over in England and the tale had an almost regency feel to it. I went into it thinking it was a modernized story. I do adore this style though. The execution was quite gruesome. I felt sorry for Lucius. Seems like an Avada would be much easier, however, I know it has to be this way for your story.Sneaky!Albus! LOL... I was uncertain if I would continue reading the tale, but now that it's posted again, I've gone on and read chapter two. I'll post a review there.

Interesting!  I'm glad Hermione is no-nonsense enough to stand up to Snape.  These are my favorite characterizations of her.  I like your Snape, as well.  He doesn't givean inch if he thinks you're an idiot.  Wonderful!  Looking forward to the next!P.S.  Is the weapon a stilleto? *grin*

Silence of the Lambs meets Dickensian Christmas!  Excellent dialog and imagery!

Wow, this was great! It kept me on the edge of my seat...er....okay, it kept me sitting up in bed with my face right up by the monitor...so I didn't miss anything! I kind of suspected ol' Nevvie, but I suspected Ron (for some reason) and then I thought, "Wouldn't it be a great twist if it was Severus!" Although that would have made any HGSS go to pot....

Once again, my dear Lady, you have written an intelligent and thought-provoking story that was worth putting off my homework for a hour(ish) to read. :) 

wonderful!

it's so nice to see a new type of story in the fandom, and this was most enjoyable.

Perhaps it is a vagarity of American English, but over here we distinguish between hanging a person and hanging anything else by changing the past tense for the person to "hanged." Thus, "We hung his coat in the attic after he was hanged for treason."  I notice that British English apparently does not differenciate.  Perhaps it is a product of the western frontier period in US history, when education was sparce?  As for choosing British edition spellings, this is one American who prefers it that way  (I'm a proponent of primary documents and original language whenever possible).

I started to read "Politics of Academic Murder" when I saw it was a sequel to this fic. I'm glad I took the time to read this first; it's been very entertaining.